Winter storm kills two, cuts power to more than 160,000 in Mississippi

State emergency officials said in a Facebook post that two people died and two were injured during a severe winter storm that has left more than 160,000 customers without power across Mississippi.

Officials identified the fatalities as one in Hinds County and one in Tishomingo County and said injuries were reported in Hinds County and Smith County. The post said 47 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians have reported storm-related damages and impacts.

Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel are on the ground to assist with distribution of 30 generators and fuel and to support response efforts, the post said. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is deploying generators, bottled water, meals ready to eat, cots and blankets to counties, and officials said more supplies are arriving from federal partners.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation is working to make roads passable and coordinating with local power companies to clear downed lines, the post said. Officials urged residents to stay home, stay off the roads and use county or city-run warming centers; more than 60 warming centers are open. The state said it remains in the damage assessment phase and will deploy additional resources as needed. We will provide more information as it becomes available.